Rock On: Kyle Whittingham's happy face (6 items)

Arizona football coach Rich Rodriguez greeted media at the Pac-12 preview last week with a frank assessment: “I could be like every other coach in America and tell you how excited I am to be here, but that would be lying. Truth is I’d rather still be on vacation or meeting with my coaches.”

Utah’s Kyle Whittingham had a slightly different take: “OK, unlike Rich Rodriguez, I’m really excited to be here and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. This is something I look forward to all year long.”

Sources say Whittingham also lists shoveling snow and having back surgery among his favorite pastimes.

NEXT: HAPPY FOR HARV

1 of 6. HAPPY FOR HARV

Whittingham took the positive approach again when asked to address the probable transfer of Harvey Langi to BYU.

“Bottom line,” the Ute coach said, “is whatever he feels is best for him, we wish him the best.”

At least until the teams meet in 2016.

2 of 6. ALMOST FAMOUS

Baylor coach Art Briles said at the Big 12 preview that quarterback Bryce Petty is so well-known, a person could “go to a Dairy Queen in Salem, Oregon” and they’d know who he was.

Taking up the challenge, Portland radio host/columnist John Canzano sent a production assistant to all six Dairy Queen outlets in Salem.

Nobody knew Petty’s name.

Good thing Briles didn't mention anyone on his offensive line.

3 of 6. LEADERSHIP VACUUM

Doc Rivers and Chris Paul say they’ll boycott the season if Donald Sterling is still in charge next year.

Good idea, but let’s be honest. For most of the Clippers’ history, has anyone been in charge?

4 of 6. GETTING OFF LIGHT

Ute quarterback Travis Wilson was cited last week for possession and consumption of alcohol by a minor.

However, officers declined to pursue charges of reckless misconduct for throwing six interceptions in a game.

5 of 6. To A 'T'

Colorado Rockies officials were red-faced last week after handing out 15,000 replica jerseys with shortstop Troy Tulowitzki’s name misspelled on the back.

The jerseys had the second “t” dropped.

Sources say the Rockies' next plan is to hand out Brandon Barnes jerseys, not because he deserves it, but because the organization wants to get its spelling confidence back.